Heaven - "Ask Grandma Jenny for a chocolate calendar for Christmas."

Everyone has a different idea of what Heaven is. The idea of life beyond this current one has been a topic of debate since the dawn of man; it is something that brings some people comfort, and others fear. The uncertainty, and the human fear of the unknown. 

For many years Leon has been interested in religions across all cultures. I don’t think he would identify with just one alone; he has always loved looking at religious artwork, learning about various deities and stories, and going to see Holy sites and monuments. When we walk by a church he will often say “Hello, church!”, and there have been times in Japan when he spots a temple - he copies the motions of people praying, putting his hands together, bowing his head and saying “Hello, temple.”

It was hard to explain . I think something that has helped Leon form his own understanding of it is the concept of heaven, and an afterlife. Everyone has a different view of what heaven is. The idea of life beyond this current one has always been a topic of debate; it is something that brings some people comfort, and others fear. The uncertainty, and the human fear of the unknown. When he hears about that someone has passed away, whether it be a friend or family member, or even on T.V., he always says they are going up to heaven, and they will meet Grandma Jenny (his grandma on his fathers side), Ty (a family friends dog), Grace (his younger sister), and the dinosaurs. He likes to light a candle for those who have passed. 

A few years ago, he expressed interest in going to visit a nearby church, staring at the building and peeking his head through the entrance. So we took him there just before Christmas. His childminder, who looked after him as a child, would occasionally take him to a church during the festive seasons to light a candle. I think he learned from her that it was a place people went to pray, and to talk to God. Leon usually makes noise as a form of stimming, a Rolodex of scenes from cartoons, movies, and other media playing in his head, but when we entered the church he grew quiet; I think he learned that from his childminder. His eyes lit up as he looked around at the interior; the classic arches, the colorful stained glass windows, the ornate sculptures, the old church organ. As we reached closer to the altar, he put his hands together and whispered a prayer. When I asked what he wished for he replied, "Ask Grandma Jenny for a chocolate calendar for Christmas."

His grandma used to send chocolate advent calendars to her grandchildren every year, it became a family tradition that Leon loved. It’s very sweet that he believes she would hear his message. We got him an extra calendar that year :)